Round 20 – Sal’s Preview: A Golden Week

Greetings All,

 

All this Olympic stuff makes footy second rate, especially when your team is also second rate.  Some great performances we have seen during the week and not just the winners.  We like to bash the commentary a bit and Basil has done plenty of gushing with the swimming.  His offsider Ian Thorp has been outstanding with his tactical and technical analysis as well as his view of the world as a swimmer.  Competing for the gold with him is Richard Fox who commentary of his daughter’s winning and losing runs were outstanding.  Bruce has kicked off the athletics in his own special style and encyclopedic knowledge, certainly his home ground.

 

There is footy on and just a couple of stories to go with it!

 

Hollering ($1.56) vs Cur Now! ($2.76)

 

The Saints get their key combination back with Marshall joining Ryder in the ruck.  The Blues have only one fit ruckman on their list.  They are also compromised in selection with the pressure on the coaching group.  Not sure playing Charlie Curnow is in the best long term interest for the club or the player despite him being so keen.  The Blues season is shot their decisions should be for the future, but for the coach they are for his.  Saints have their winning formula in.

 

Dew Point ($4.90) vs Deesperate ($1.25)

 

Stuey Dew has made a point in dropping Rankine after their fall away last week against the neighbours, they host the Demons who need to win this to halt going into freefall.  They have dropped a couple but have not really addressed the challenge they have up forward.  Can Fritsch, Neal-Bullen and McDonald regain their earlier form or was that above their normal?  They need to start by winning this irrespective of the score and with the dominance of Gawn in the ruck they should do so.

 

PendleBuried ($2.30) vs The Corporation ($1.76)

 

The Eagles celebrate Shannon Hurn reaching 300 games against the Pies who have lost their skipper for the remainder of the season.  An important game for the Eagles to win on the road and they should do so as the Pies season falls away.

 

Unhooked ($3.25) vs Unlocked ($1.43)

 

The Bombers drop a couple including Cale Hooker with speculation about his future.  For the Swans their aging star was given a reprieve and they get Mills and Cunningham released from isolation.  These two have some close encounters, but reckon the Swans are looking too good.

 

Deestroyers ($1.10) vs Coach Killers ($10.00)

 

The Bulldogs displayed all their credentials against the Demons last week, perhaps their next encounter will have a crowd – will it be in September though?  They host Adelaide who seem to have helped seal the fate of Clarko at the Hawks.  Dogs to bark.

 

Blue Murderers ($7.60) vs Purring ($1.14)

 

The Roos took the opportunity to tear the Blues apart, this week their challenge is at the other end of the table.  The Cats are in cruise control taking care of the premiers with a minimum of fuss.  North have certainly improved over the season, so have Geelong who will be too good here.

 

Clarko’s Last Stand? ($6.20) vs Kings of Queensland ($1.17)

 

The Lions took a while but took care of their neighbours last week, they have to travel to Launceston this week and deal with the Hawks.  We have seen some Clarkson magic in a couple of games this year but overall they have come up short.  Can he send another message to Jeff?  Perhaps but I doubt it.

 

Sonny Down ($2.68) vs Dimmed? ($1.58)

 

The Tigers have their challenges but things have fallen in their favour going to Freo who are without Fyfe and Walters.  A must win for the Tigers to stop the lights being dimmed on 2021, reckon they will get this one.

 

US Dollar ($2.92) vs Fouray ($1.49)

 

The Giants get Greene back and they have the treasured eighth position at the moment, to ensure they keep they take on Port.  Port have done as expected winning their last two against inferior opposition and got themselves a place in the top four.  This is much harder to pick as the best of the Giants is good enough to beat them.  They have all key ingredients in Mumford, Greene, Davis and Ward so reckon they can do it.

 

Friar Time

 

The Ammos are back but with no spectators.  The Friars take on Kew at Friar Parkin a battle to hold onto second place, while the reserves take on the top team but have great chance to cement their top four spot.  The women’s season was brought to a sudden halt with the lockdown so it is straight into the second semi against Old Scotch, our first encounter with the vagaries of regrading and lockdowns.  The game is at Camberwell Sportsground.  The lockdown has cost the thirds any chance of finals with only one game remaining and 8 points adrift.  They close their season at Albert Park against AJAX.

 

Go Blues, Go Friars

 

Cheers, Sal

 

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